Indicate which of the following entries represents an effective direct opening.

1. a. I am writing this letter to make an inquiry. My name is Courtney Wilson, and I

am assistant to the director of Plant Operations at Micro Synergy. Our company is investigating health-care plans, and I know that Blue Cross has several plans that are supposed to fight out-of-control health-care costs. We would like to ask you a number of questions about your four most popular plans.

b. Please answer the following questions about the four most popular health-care plans offered by Blue Cross.

2. a. We have received your e-mail of June 13 in which you inquired about the availability of sprinkler part H640B.

b. We have on hand an ample supply of H640B sprinkler parts.

3. a. Yes, the Princess Cruise Club is planning a 15-day Mediterranean cruise beginning October 20.

b. This acknowledges receipt of your letter June 2 in which you inquire about Mediterranean cruises in the fall.

4. a. Your letter of April 15 requesting a refund for the items that were double-billed has been referred to me because Ms. Rivera is away from the office.

b. Your refund check for $135 is enclosed.

5. a. We sincerely appreciate your recent order for plywood wallboard panels.

b. The plywood wallboard panels that you requested were shipped today by Coastal

Express and should reach you by August 12.

Revise the following openings so that they are more direct. Add information if necessary.

6. Hello! My name is Todd Thompson, and I am the assistant manager of Body Trends, a fitness equipment center in Miami Shores. My manager has asked me to inquire about the upright and semi recumbent cycling machines that we saw advertised in the June issue of Your Health magazine. I have many questions.

7. I am pleased to receive your inquiry regarding the possibility of my acting as a speaker at the final semester meeting of your business management club on April 30. The topic of networking to locate employment interests me and is one on which I think I could impart helpful information to your members. Therefore, I am responding in the affirmative to your kind invitation.

8. I have before me your letter of March 12 in which you describe the troubles you are having with your Magnum videocassette recorder. In your letter you ask whether you may send the malfunctioning VCR to us for repair. This is usually not done. We generally refer all service requests to our local dealers. However, in your case we will make an exception and take a look at your unit here at our Richmond plant. As a result, send it to us so that we may look into your claims.

CLOSING PARAGRAPH

The following concluding paragraph to a claim letter response suffers from faults in strategy, tone, and emphasis. Revise and improve.

9. As a result of your complaint of April 16, we are sending a replacement shipment of color photo printers by Federal Express. Unfortunately, this shipment will not reach you until April 29. We hope that you will not allow this troubling incident and the resulting inconvenience and lost sales you suffered to jeopardize our future business relations. In the past we have been able to provide you with quality products and prompt service.